Bethlehem mayor ejected from wrestling tourney

Monday

Feb 25, 2013 at 8:02 AMFeb 25, 2013 at 8:04 AM

EASTON, Pa. (AP) — The mayor of Bethlehem had to be ejected from a wrestling tournament after criticizing calls made by mat officials during the District 11 Class AAA wrestling championships at Liberty High School.

The Express-Times of Easton reports Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan was asked to leave Saturday night after loudly objecting to calls made during the 220-pound championship match. Callahan's son John, who wrestles for Freedom High School, earlier placed fourth in the 195-pound weight class.

The director of officials for District 11, Gene Waas, says referee Dennis Buchman handled the situation properly. He says Buchman had no idea Callahan was the mayor of Bethlehem.

Callahan, a second-term mayor running for Northampton County executive, wrote on his Twitter account: "Pretty sad when a wrestling fan can't express displeasure about a call."

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